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The Pakistan captain believed that it was about time for under-performers to get dropped and fight for their place again. — AFP/File

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi on Thursday called upon his players to improve their performances or risk losing their World Twenty20 spot.

Pakistan named their 15-man World T20 squad last week but Afridi said 'last minute' changes could yet be made based on the performances of players in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and the Asia Cup T20, which commences February 29.

“I hope we don’t need to make changes in the squad and it [the same team] plays in both events but if any player fails to click in the Asia Cup then changes can be made in the side for the World T20,” Afridi said in an interview with Cricbuzz.

International Cricket Council (ICC) set February 8 as the initial deadline to submit the World T20 squads, while Pakistan was granted a two-day extension on Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) request.

According to an ICC official, member nations can tinker with their team combinations until March 8.

Afridi said players who deliver standout performances in the ongoing PSL will be considered for a place in the World T20 squad.

“If there are players who impress everyone in the Pakistan Super League, they can be considered for the World T20,” he said.

Mohammad Nawaz and Rumman Raees are two players who have already benefited from their PSL performances, earning spots in the Asia Cup and World T20 squads.

But Afridi expressed disappointment over the efforts of several seasoned campaigners who failed consistently.

“The team management, selectors and I gave full confidence and support to every player. The same response was not forthcoming from players,” he said.

Afridi hoped the PSL would serve as a solid platform for emerging players and eventually supply talent to the national team.

“Back home in domestic cricket no one comes to watch matches and there is no real pressure on the players to do well. To me the PSL can serve as the platform where players can develop their confidence and learn to play under pressure,” he added.

Comments (53) Closed

Mr Afridi you have lead from the front and show your leadership skills to the world.Good luck.

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FrFeb 19, 2016 07:19pm

First remove your self

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Ahmad RafiqFeb 19, 2016 07:20pm

This must include Shahid Afridi's own performance in PSL/Asia Cup. Otherwise, let Sarfaraz be the Captain, and give someone else a chance.

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GreetingsFeb 19, 2016 07:22pm

Hope these words are for everyone, including HIMSELF !

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The OutsiderFeb 19, 2016 07:34pm

So since he was a flop in PSL he should drop himself.

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NavigatorFeb 19, 2016 07:56pm

Lets put all the players under psychological pressure to perform well to retain the spot. WHAT A STUPID SCIENCE THIS MAN HAS GOT! And this "Last minute change card" will only be used to get Ahmed Shahzad in. Mark my words!

You have been failing to click for 20 years - wondering when will you lose you spot!

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SomeoneFeb 19, 2016 08:19pm

Here we are, Afridi being Afridi again; all words and no actions whatsoever! If the selection was based on pure performance then he should have been "fired" from the team a long time ago.

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MALIKFeb 19, 2016 08:24pm

Baber Azam (Newly Found Talent ) and Mohammed Nawaz (Quetta Spinner). Pakistan pick this team WT20 would be a walk in the park.

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DesiFeb 19, 2016 08:27pm

Afridi is making these statements to bring his favorite, Ahmed Shahzad back in the team. Nothing but favoritism.

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Tanweer KhanFeb 19, 2016 08:35pm

@The Outsider

Batting wise for sure - Afridi has totally flopped; not only in PSL but also at international level for the last 10 years+.

He does occasionally produce a match winning bowling spell that reprieves him, like the 5 for 7 he got against Quetta in PSL.

So there is absolutely no chance of Afridi getting dropped now.

Hopefully, he'll just retire after the T20WC, although I highly doubt it - as he loves the attention and will need to be in the team in order to bring Ahmed Shehzad back.

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VivekXIFeb 19, 2016 08:44pm

Some time I think that when this blunt and rampant guy will retire, the new era of Pakistan Cricket will begin.

Indian Cricket flourished under Tendulkar era and Pakistan Cricket got crushed under Afridi era. Else, both nation produces equally talented cricketer, in fact Pakistan has an edge over it.

Just think of how Ahmed Shajad would have groomed under Tendulkar or Dravid's guidance and what he is today under Afridi's guidance (Lala)

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VivekXIFeb 19, 2016 08:45pm

@DESI.....Absolutely spot on friend..!

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Fan (Not of Afridi)Feb 19, 2016 09:26pm

I am sure this kind of statements will put pressure on the new players who are being considered for Asia Cup and WT20. This is not how you develop talent.

I understand that their should be limits on poor performance, which reminds me what happens for Mr. Afridi if he flops in the ongoing PSL ?

He may say this in the dressing room, but this kind of stuff should not be leaked to the press as it adds to the undue pressure. Already they will be playing in India where the players will get lot of pressure.

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AneesFeb 19, 2016 09:27pm

Just imagine. Afridi asking the team mates to STEP UP!!! I would ask this man to STEP DOWN from the leadership. Afridi is useful as a bowler no doubt. Age is catching up and reflexes have slowed down a bit - the fielding prowess of yesterday is not there any more. Leadership skills? Afridi as a leader? Not at all. In fact in today's world of Pak cricket there is no leader and I do not see one far down in the future too..... Just like the country. So...... I would ask Afridi to exhibit one leadership quality by STEPPING DOWN from the Captaincy.

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Satyameva JayateFeb 19, 2016 09:45pm

He alone does not do team selection. In enthusing team players, scare tactics do not work. Mr. Big Heart has never been a good captain - just look at his record in T20s.

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ZFeb 19, 2016 09:57pm

I compared his stats for ODI with 300+ matches. He was worst than all batsmen in 16 for batting records except slightly better than bowlers (Akram/Vass). In bowling among same players with 200+wickets, he was worst than all bowlers except marginally better in economy than Jaysuriya (a batsmen). His strike rate was the highest because he averaged 19 balls per innings in 398 ODIs. But his arrogance is the highest without any performance. It only happens in Pakistan that such players can go on to play 400 ODIs. I know Dawn is unlikely to post this comment as always when one can pin point the poor performance.

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RiazFeb 19, 2016 10:00pm

@Fr But why? May be because he is one of leading wicket takers in the PSL? Kindly restrain yourself from hating a national hero just because!

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Ash20Feb 19, 2016 10:13pm

Does this apply to this guy too?

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Nooru52Feb 19, 2016 10:17pm

i saw so many negative comments about afridi thats may be true but one thing i cant forget is he make us the world champions on a very bad time

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AGFeb 19, 2016 10:46pm

This applies to you too

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optimistFeb 19, 2016 10:49pm

There are concerns on the form of Anwar Ali, Imad Wasim and Ahmad Shahzad, even Shoaib Malik though he is too valuable a player to be dropped. .

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SamratFeb 19, 2016 10:56pm

@VivekXI Really!! I mean is Dravid or Sachin mentoring the likes of Kohli, Sharma, Pandey? Its the culture, Pak focuses on bowling and India on batting. Simple!

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akFeb 19, 2016 11:23pm

The two new spinners Nawaz and Asghar are exciting. Ajmals return too.

If Pakistan lose it will be only due to very poor fielding and poor batting.

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akFeb 19, 2016 11:25pm

@Anees Exactly our point. Only part where Afridi is 5/10 is bowling. His batting is 1/10, fielding 2/10 and captaincy 0/10 coz he's doesn't lead by example.

Net result : Thank you very much. Go home Sir !

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shaffiq qureshiFeb 19, 2016 11:59pm

Mr afridi was a very good player.remember I said was.he should now step down and let someone else lead.he knows he is retiring after the t20 wc and so he thinks he can say that nonperforming players should leave.why has he not resigned for the of the team after performing so poorly for the so many years

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SyedFeb 20, 2016 12:15am

Does that apply to you Mr. Afridi as well??

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HyderFeb 20, 2016 12:16am

Sir

This Golden rule apply to Shahid Afridi himself as well.

Perform or you will be out from the T20 World Cup!!!

Thanks

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salmanFeb 20, 2016 12:50am

afridi's total score in PSL is, i think, 10. is this definition of performance according to afridi?

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KamalFeb 20, 2016 01:19am

In my opinion, Shahid Afridi will lose the spot after Asia cup.

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DeLhIiTe!Feb 20, 2016 01:26am

Bigmouth! What if he himself fails? If he's a true leader, he drop himself first to set an example.
Though I want to see Ahmed shehzad in the pak team.. He's a match winner for the oponents..:D

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salmanFeb 20, 2016 01:30am

let misbah lead the world T20. he is a better batsman then afridi. his performnce is far better then afridi. we have many quality spin bowlers who can take place of afridi .nawaz and imad wasim can be included to replace afridi. bowling attack should be 1. amir. 2. iraf

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salmanFeb 20, 2016 01:34am

afridi should handover the captaincy to misbah . misbah still is far better T20 batsman then afridi. His PSL performance proves it all. the bowlers should be 1. amir. 2. irfan/anwar. 3. wahab/junaid 4. nawaz. 5 .imad /asghar. aizaz cheema can be included if he perfoms well in the final of PSL. one thing is certain cheema can hold his nerves under tough conditions.

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salihFeb 20, 2016 02:26am

Here we go....he is making room for Ahmad Shahzad...

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ShahidFeb 20, 2016 04:02am

What about Mr. Afridi himself who has scored total 48 runs in 9 PSL innings.

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AtifFeb 20, 2016 07:09am

Speak for yourself mr afridi. You've been one of the most inconsistent player...why dont you give someone else a chance and step aside. Blaming someone else is in our dna. We should look ourselves in the mirror first before blaming others.

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JYDFeb 20, 2016 09:24am

Is he talking about himself!

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Faisal Naqvi Feb 20, 2016 10:04am

Look who is talking. . Empty vessel

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A AbbasiFeb 20, 2016 10:08am

Charity begins at home Afridi ... Start it from yourself and step down as captain and just try to step up as a cricketer ....

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furqanFeb 20, 2016 10:09am

what about ur performance boy??

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PunekarFeb 20, 2016 10:14am

@ All readers -

P.S. 1. This rule does not applied to Shahid Afridi - The great allrounder in the world...

All other teams (except Pak) wants him as a captain in Pak team. Because of his captaincy everyone has 100% chance to win against him in every match. ..

So as an Indian, i am supporting him as captain.

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SalarFeb 20, 2016 10:24am

@mub the said news for Pakistan is that Afridi has got so used to failure; failure is his second nature now. God help rescue Pakistan team from the claws of Afridi.

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Abdulla HussaunFeb 20, 2016 11:17am

Thanks captain for your suggestions but what about your own performance is it any different from the other non performers

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MurtazaFeb 20, 2016 12:01pm

So we will have a new Captain

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MurtazaFeb 20, 2016 12:05pm

Afridi is the worst player of all times. His first luck was getting the 100 against srilanka, after which he captured the public imagination. However after that consistently he will be useless and when it was time for him to be removed he will provide another performance to retain his place. The team would have been much better off without him as he is neither a batsmen nor a bowler. Remove him asap

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FarooqFeb 20, 2016 01:19pm

i think Mr Afridi should lose his spot based on his current form

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effyFeb 20, 2016 02:18pm

Afridi needs to drop himself first.

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RehanFeb 20, 2016 03:34pm

Professor Lala, Who are you hinting at ??. your performance, also has not been that great so far .... so what about you ?? or are you the exception here ??

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bharatFeb 20, 2016 04:15pm

Afridi can play for 10 more years

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Muhammad ZahidFeb 20, 2016 06:04pm

He is the who should be shown the door first. what is his performance in PSL. Zero.......